ENG-2006 — Page 401

Public Order | 333

unless certified physically unfit, are required by law to work six days a week. They are assigned to different work posts according to factors such as their fitness and security ratings, personal background and balance of sentence. They receive earnings for their work, which may be used for buying approved personal items twice a month. They can watch television and have access to newspapers and library books. They may send and receive an unrestricted number of letters, receive regular visits and participate in

in the religious services. Compulsory education and vocational programmes are provided for inmates under 21 whereas adults may opt to take part in the programmes available to them. Voluntary organisations provide a wide range of rehabilitation services to inmates.

Prisoners released under the Pre-release Employment Scheme, offenders released under supervision from training centres, detention centre, rehabilitation centres and drug addiction treatment centres, and those having special needs may be accommodated in halfway houses for varying lengths of time. Thereafter, they are permitted to live at home or in other places while they continue to receive supervision.

Penal Institutions

The CSD manages 12 prisons for adult males, consisting of three maximum, four medium and five minimum security institutions. Adult female prisoners are accommodated in four prisons. For young male offenders, the department operates one maximum security institution, two training centres and one detention centre. A training centre section is provided in Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution, a multi- function institution for young females. Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre and its annex accommodate male and female drug addicts respectively. Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre is a maximum security prison which houses separately male and female prisoners of all categories sentenced or on remand -- and detainees who require psychiatric observation, treatment or assessment. Five of the institutions cater for remanded males and females of different age groups. Facilities in a penal institution normally include dormitories, kitchens, dining rooms, laundries, workshops, exercising and recreational areas, library and a hospital.

The CSD operates three halfway houses to help inmates released under supervision to reintegrate into society. Group counselling sessions and other activities are organised and the residents can go out to work or attend school during the daytime.

Penal Population

The penal population remained large in 2006, with inmates occupying an average 2 per cent more living space than was officially available. The overcrowding occurred mostly in prisons accommodating female adults. The average number of women in prison in 2006 was 2 325 and they occupied 131 per cent of total prison living space. Despite overcrowding which stretched CSD resources, the department continued to implement its correctional programmes effectively.

During the year, 18 915 adult offenders, comprising 11 855 men and 7 060 women, were sentenced to prison and 6 458 men and 2 006 women on